Why don't you try using them & see how they are? I have a pen of my grandfather's that works ok for me without adjustment. If you don't like them the way they are then maybe find someone to regrind the nibs rather than replace them.

I'm wearing a small merino/cashmere right now. It's the Martin Boag from last season but the sleeve measures 23" from shoulder seam and 17" from armpit FWIW.
I must say I'm with Afro there; I'd be surprised if a small was right for you at 6'.

That article's from 2003 and the Inverallans I bought last year are labelled "made in Scotland", so I can only assume the knitting was somehow pulled back onshore. (The Scotsman don't seem to have mentioned Inverallan since then.)
Unless you're thinking the jumpers are knitted offshore and assembled in Scotland to qualify for the label? Either way I wouldn't think that article points to a difference in methods or quality between recent Inverallan and new Strathtay (I...

I wash rivets on 30 degrees, hang dry, then iron if I'm wearing them in a business casual fit with a sportscoat, otherwise no ironing for a casual fit.
I actually like the fading. I'm particularly looking forward to the french blues getting faded.